1838 Diary

Fashion plate for January 1838 from World of Fashion(LA Public Library; Casey Fashion Plates)

Monday,1 January 1838

Mrs Pierrepont calld here. We called on the Miss Allens. We dined at Admiral Shirley’s, met Miss Workman, Miss Comyn, the three little Darwins and Miss Wood in the evening.

Tuesday, 2 January 1838

Miss Janetta Allen who, with her usual kindness, brought us two tickets for the Concert tonight. Mrs Pierrepont calld twice. She also very kindly offered us a ticket. Miss Wood and Charlotte, Sarah Darwin, Mrs and Miss Buckles calld. The three Darwins and Miss Wood drank tea here. We went with Miss Wood and two of the Darwins to see the gold box given to Captain Carrall. Miss Workman’s. Emma and Miss Wood went to the Concert with the Miss Allens’ tickets.

The three Darwins calld. We drank tea at Admiral Shirley’s. Sarah Jane Hales’ birthday, 5 years old. Met Miss Wood and the three Darwins. It snowd a little all day, sufficient to lay and make everything white.

Snowballing by John Morgan, 1865(c) Childhood Collection; Supplied by The Public Catalogue Foundation

Friday, 12 January, 1838

Miss Wood calld.

Miss Shirley and Mrs Chamier calld here.

Emma went to Miss Workman’s and Admiral Shirley’s, who took her with Georgina, Miss Comyn and the two little Hales to see the wild beasts.

Mr Gore, Miss Shirley. Last night was the most awful night I ever remember. It blew a perfect hurricane. We got up about half past two and remained up till 5, when the fury of the storm abated. It was quite terrific for about three hours and has done a great deal of damage to chimneys and trees.

Fashion plate for November 1838 from World of Fashion (LA Public Library; Casey Fashion Plates)

Friday, 2 November 1838

Miss Wilson and Miss Harvey. Mrs Pierrepoint, Misses Wilson and Harvey drank tea and spent the evening here and were very chearful. Miss Hill sent to say she would come to tea, but soon after five she sent an excuse.

Saturday, 3 November 1838

Mr Wiltshire. He kindly came to offer to take us to the opening of the new organ at the Abbey next Tuesday.

Monday, 5 November 1838

Miss Shirley. Miss Hill sent to say she would come and drink tea this evening and Miss Hough sent to ask us for tomorrow, but I am not well enough and Emma is going with Miss Hill to the Abbey in the evening. Miss Hill drank tea here. The dear Miss Allens, Mrs Smith.

Tuesday, 6 November 1838

Mr Gore, Mrs Dyke and Miss Brabant. Emma went with Mr Wiltshire to the Abbey. He most kindly gave her a ticket and sent the carriage for her. She went again in the evening with Miss Hill, who also gave her a ticket.

Emma Chapman, Fanny’s sister, when elderly and blind.

Wednesday, 7 November 1838

Mrs Brown (?), Miss Shirley, Addy and Sarah Jane Hale called.

Thursday, 8 November 1838

Miss Shirley, Mrs Pierrepont called.

Saturday, 10 November 1838

Miss Shirley called.

Sunday, 11 November 1838

The dear Miss Allens called.

Tuesday, 13 November 1838

Miss Harrison, Mr Wiltshire called.

Wednesday, 14 November 1838

Mrs Pierrepoint.

Thursday, 15 November 1838

Mr Gore. I put a strengthening plaister on my arm.

call’d here 1838

Friday, 16 November 1838

The Miss Allens, Miss Harvey from the College.

Saturday, 17 November 1838

Mrs Drummond, Mrs Pierrepont.

Tuesday, 20 November 1838

Miss Shirley, Miss Hill, to ask us to dine next Friday.

Wednesday, 21 November 1838

Mrs Lukin drank tea here. She goes back to Totness on Friday. I was obliged to take the plaister off my arm.

A Watermill near Totnes, Devon by Frederick W. Watts, painted in 1833 or 1834(c) Birmingham Museums and Art Gallery; Supplied by The Public Catalogue Foundation

Friday, 23 November 1838

Mr Gore, but I was unfortunately out, so did not see him.

Saturday, 24 November 1838

Mrs Longden, Miss Shirley.

Monday, 26 November 1838

Mrs Pierrepont, to ask us to dine on the 6th. Cards with black edge from Mrs Lowry and Mrs Jackson.

Heard from Mrs Gore and Miss Hough that dear Ellen Darwin! died on the 26!

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